News Flash

June 8, 2020 - Bluewater Yacht Sales, a high-end yachting brokerage, service and marina, has proposed a $2 million investment and expansion that would allow the company to handle larger yachts for sale and repair. The additional line of work is expected to provide about 50 new higher-than-average-wage jobs.

Currently, that work has to be done elsewhere. Bluewater has also purchased adjacent property and plans to do a major cleanup, removing pilings and sunken boats in Sunset Creek. The company also plans to install new bulkheads and piers and on its existing site also will install new piers and upland site improvements to support a new 150-200 ton marine mobile lift.  The company has been headquartered in Hampton for 50 years and operates seven other branches on the East Coast.

Bluewater is seeking to purchase city property that is in the middle of their waterfront property. That includes a city boat ramp and adjacent parking lot. Bluewater submitted an unsolicited proposal to buy the land at assessed value, $536,600. The company plans to partner with Hampton City Schools’ Academies program to teach expose students to expose students to maritime trades. 

There are two public hearings associated with the project. The Planning Commission will consider an application to rezone the parking lot parcels (90 and 92 Marina Road) to accommodate light repair, service and storage of yachts (no sanding, spray painting or engine repair). The Council will consider the potential sale of the property.

The boat ramp at Fort Monroe does provide the public a boat ramp on the southern side of the city. The Fort Monroe boat ramp has been accessible since the decommissioning of the former Army fort, and we are working in conjunction with fort authorities on how we can accommodate our boaters there. Public hearings will be held:

• Thursday, June 4, 3:30 p.m. Planning Commission, to consider the rezoning of the two parking areas
• Wednesday, June 10, 6:30 p.m., City Council will consider the rezoning as well as the sale of the land.

Although City Hall remains closed to most visitors, exceptions are made to allow the public to speak at both hearings.